The Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant (KMEDP) is the world’s first dual-mode desalination plant that was built with the ability to treat both freshwater and seawater, depending on the weather conditions. The KMEDP is located in the Marina East area of Singapore which is near the Marina reservoir and the sea. The plant is fully fitted with dual intakes so that during dry weather, when the water level in the reservoir is low, seawater can be pumped into the plant to be desalinated. When the reservoir water levels are high, the plant will then treat water from the reservoir. During this process, the plant increases its energy efficiency, compared to a typical desalination plant, since freshwater utilizes less energy than seawater desalination.

AECOM was responsible for designing this innovative large-scale desalination facility. Their engineering design included raw water intakes from the sea and reservoir to a dual flow chamber, through pre-treatment using flocculation and dissolved air flotation, then ultrafiltration; a two-pass reverse osmosis system; and post-treatment using ultraviolet disinfection.

On many of these systems at the KMEDP, Victaulic’s solutions for the desalination market were utilized. On the reverse osmosis system, the Series 465 Duplex Plug Valve was utilized. Through the use of grooved couplings and valves for super duplex stainless steel pipe, Victaulic provided a reliable and sustainable pipe joining solution that enabled a reduction in the construction schedule.

The KMEDP is a critical infrastructure component for Singapore by providing a reliable source of water supply. The plant will produce 30 million gallons (mgd) of drinking water while also providing sustainability and urbanization benefits to Singapore. The plant contains 20,000 square meters (sqm) of open green space on the rooftop for community recreation and a viewing gallery through which the desalination equipment and underground treatment facilities can be observed.

Awards

2021 Desalination Plant of the Year, Global Water Awards 

Publications

Keppel, PUB open Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant, WaterWorld

Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant wins recognition at Global Water Awards 2021, Water & Waste Asia

Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant Wins 2021 Desalination Plant of the Year, Victaulic

External Links

Inside the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant